History
In 1990, a group of concerned community members seeing the need of affordable rental accommodation for individuals and families formed the Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society (NAHS). The Society was then incorporated and received registered charity status making all donations to the work of the Society tax-deductible.
In 1995, the Society secured funding for a community housing registry and sponsored a project called Community Housing Services. After a few years, operations of the project were taken over by the Volunteer and Information Services Bureau.
Along with developing and operating housing, NAHS has played an ongoing active role in BC’s housing sector – consulting, mentoring, participating in public forums, liaising with other community groups around Vancouver Island, and lobbying various levels of government for housing resources.
NAHS Current Housing Options in Nanaimo
- 510 Pine Street – 17 family townhomes
- 350 Prideaux Street – 20-unit apartment for individuals
- 153 Wallace Street – 24-unit apartment for individuals
- 2104 Bowen Road – 20-unit apartment for individuals
- 1597 Boundary Crescent – 41-unit apartment for single adults fleeing violence and facing homelessness
- 11 and 15 Buttertubs Drive – 82-unit apartment for seniors
- 1612 Bowen Road – 25 family townhomes
- 451 Selby Street – 72-unit apartment for seniors
- 619 Comox Road – 71-unit apartment for seniors
- 55, 65, 66, 69 and 73 Prideaux Street – 62 apartment units for seniors
- 858 Georgia Avenue – 27-unit affordable low-end-of-market apartment – opened 2019
- 77 Mill St. – 57-unit apartment for seniors 65+ – opened 2020
350 Prideaux Street and 153 Wallace Street apartments offer tenant support for persons with psychiatric disabilities and individuals with permanent disabilities. These services are provided by contract with Island Health.
1597 Boundary Crescent apartments have 24/7 support staffing provided by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society and Haven Society.
Under Development
A new complex located at 10 Buttertubs Drive will offer an additional 159 units of affordable housing for Seniors and is scheduled to open in late in 2021.
NAHS Management
- Andrea Blakeman, Chief Executive Officer
- Farrell Gilmour, Chief Financial Officer
- Sue Hansen, Director of Human Resources and Organizational Administration
- Kevin Delaney, Maintenance Manager
- Jessica Don, Manager, Housing Operations
- Dennie Swanson, Manager, Food Service
- Andy Tysdal, Operations Coordinator